Airbus A321 AC 191

[N965VJ]

Thunderstorms (and some tornadoes) are popping crazy lately in the Tampa Bay area.

There's a reason why the hockey team is called the Tampa Bay Lighting. 😱

 

[Squonk]

This is a wing spar replacement. Requires gear/engine/wing/fuel cell removal. Plane is in Pemco hangar and work will be performed by TIMCO who is our 321 heavy maintenance contractor from AL. Work will take approx 30 days.
Hanger space is at approx 2 grand PER DAY. Insurance paying for this job including lost revenue.
Airbus said to fix it and we will talk later. (Save the receipts) :blink:

 

[wings396]

And wait for a thunderstorm or heavy wind to come. Then the rib 5 won't be such a big deal compared to what else can happen.

FWIW, I know that DL did 2 major repair jobs outside in PHL in the last year. One was an MD-90, and the other was a 737-800. Both were there for a LONG time with a make-shift tarp/roof over the A/C in the repair area. I also recall DL doing a major repair on an L-1011 wing spar back in the mid 80's in EWR. So, major repairs can be done outside if need be.

 

[700UW]

Its not TIMCO, they are in FL and NC, PEMCO owns the hangar and does the overhaul in TPA and they have facilities in Dothan, AL and they are IAM.

 

[blue collar]

FWIW, I know that DL did 2 major repair jobs outside in PHL in the last year. One was an MD-90, and the other was a 737-800. Both were there for a LONG time with a make-shift tarp/roof over the A/C in the repair area. I also recall DL doing a major repair on an L-1011 wing spar back in the mid 80's in EWR. So, major repairs can be done outside if need be.

Never said repairs can't be done outside. Just pointing out it's not the smartest idea for doing this repair outside on jacks, with the weather being unpredictable. I don't know what delta was doing repair-wise, but I would think the plane wouldn't be sitting on jacks out there for a long time. Since there is hangar space available, one would assume they would put it in there. Unfortunately, timco is doing the work, so the plane will also be down for the time it takes to ferry to pit and have it done right by our guys. Maybe airbus will pay for that too.

 

[blue collar]

Yeah just saw it's pemco, not timco. Still unfortunate it's not our guys doing the work.

 

[700UW]

TIMCO is not in Tampa, that would be PEMCO. TIMCO is in Lake City, FL not Tampa.

 

[Squonk]

TIMCO is not in Tampa, that would be PEMCO. TIMCO is in Lake City, FL not Tampa.

They are using the PEMCO hangar, not their mechanics. Mechanics imported from one of our heavy maintenance contractors. I was told TIMCO flew in approximately 30 mechanics. Apparently they came from Lake City, Greensboro or Macon. They have the contract and are performing the work. B)

 

[robbedagain]

whats wrong with the aircraft

 

[Squonk]

whats wrong with the aircraft

They are replacing a cracked wing spar ( #5 Rib ) on the port side. It's located directly above the main gear.

 

[700UW]

The A321s are overhauled in-house, I smell a grievance coming.

 

[AP Tech]

Afraid you have been out of the loop a little to long..."they can do that"....Checking the USAir A/C that are in heavy check it is about a 50% ratio farmed out. That includes the S checks on the A/B fleet along with the 330, 67,57's. That is a kick in the "nuts" that U has a broken A/C at a non Mtc US station and they farm in crews from a vendor to fix it!! So much for the "Fighting Machinists" and this so called contract. Shows the company has little regard for the IAM. Maybe they will file a grevience, but I doubt the rank and file will ever benefit from it!!

Just read a letter from the local lodge president stating that work was initially to be done in house at a leased hangar, but the company decided "that per the CBA the aircraft will be assigned to HVY MTC" and treated under the 50/50 billable hour provision. :angry: So much for having a union......

 

[700UW]

Well I spoke with a former GC and they do keep accurate records of the 50% rule, it was still better than the post bankruptcy final offer, so tell me how you would do it different since US was in chapter 11 twice in two years and the CBA was abrogated.

You cant wave a magic wand and get it all back in the first new CBA, it takes time, what we had before was from 1949 and up.

And last time I checked TPA is a maintenance station, not base but line.

Back in 01 we had a 737-200 crack a main gear, and I brought the gear to LGA and Mechs from CLT and LGA changed it in the old TWA hangar.

 

[767one]

Afraid you have been out of the loop a little to long..."they can do that"....Checking the USAir A/C that are in heavy check it is about a 50% ratio farmed out. That includes the S checks on the A/B fleet along with the 330, 67,57's. That is a kick in the "nuts" that U has a broken A/C at a non Mtc US station and they farm in crews from a vendor to fix it!! So much for the "Fighting Machinists" and this so called contract. Shows the company has little regard for the IAM. Maybe they will file a grevience, but I doubt the rank and file will ever benefit from it!!

Just read a letter from the local lodge president stating that work was initially to be done in house at a leased hangar, but the company decided "that per the CBA the aircraft will be assigned to HVY MTC" and treated under the 50/50 billable hour provision. :angry: So much for having a union......

AP tech


This company has no regard for any of the workers at this company. They only do what is best for thRegards,

Bob

 

[AP Tech]

And last time I checked TPA is a maintenance station, not base but line.

Oops!!! 700 you are 100% correct, TPA still is a USAir Mtc station!! Think they have two or three mechs on days and swing and a handful on 3rds!! Just was really pissed when I read about the outsourcing being done at a station where mechs are on duty! This has to be a first though, bringing in contractors to do our work, at one of our Mtc stations, other than fuel tank work!! Just a slap in the face to those in the Mtc department!! To me they are just circumventing the contract while the IAM leadership just watches!! Sets a precedent which is not good!!